VSTE

Virginia Society for Technology in Education

Education Committee

ChatGPT & AI in Education_What’s All The Buzz About?

by one of the VSTE Coaching Crew members, Patty Gilham

A robotic hand holding a table with a lightbulb above it. Text is along the left that says AI in Education.

As educators; we have been using applications such as Kahoot!, Quizlet and Immersive Reader with our students that use artificial intelligence (AI) to make them more personalized to the needs of our students. In late 2022 and into 2023, ChatGPT, however, seemed to suddenly bring to focus how AI could impact teaching and learning in a major way. Many school divisions have blocked it while others are embracing it to support students and teachers. No matter which way a school division decides to go; as educators we certainly want to be informed about technology that will impact what happens in the classroom. In keeping with the spirit of demonstrating the power of ChatGPT the following question and response was generated in less than 30 seconds.

Question: What are some practical ways teachers can use AI tools like ChatGPT to improve instruction?

Response: Here are some practical ways that teachers can use AI tools like ChatGPT to improve instruction:

  • Personalized feedback: Chat GPT can provide personalized feedback to students on their work, allowing them to identify areas for improvement and work at their own pace. Teachers can use Chat GPT to provide feedback on assignments, essays, or other written work, providing suggestions for improvement and areas to focus on.
  • Differentiated instruction: Chat GPT can be used to provide differentiated instruction to students based on their individual needs and abilities. Teachers can use Chat GPT to provide students with personalized instruction, such as assigning specific readings or activities that are tailored to their interests and learning style.
  • Real-time assessment: Chat GPT can be used to assess student understanding in real-time during class discussions or activities. Teachers can use Chat GPT to pose questions and receive immediate feedback from students, allowing them to adjust their instruction accordingly.
  • Collaborative learning: Chat GPT can be used to facilitate collaborative learning among students, allowing them to work together on projects and share ideas in real-time. Teachers can use Chat GPT to create group chats or virtual classrooms where students can collaborate and communicate with each other.
  • Research assistance: Chat GPT can be used to assist students with research, providing them with access to a vast amount of information and resources. Teachers can use Chat GPT to guide students through the research process, helping them to identify credible sources and evaluate information.
  • Time management: Chat GPT can be used to help students manage their time more effectively, providing them with reminders and prompts to stay on track with their assignments and deadlines. Teachers can use Chat GPT to create calendars and schedules for students, helping them to prioritize their work and stay organized.

ChatGPT is not the only AI technology that has the potential to encourage educators to rethink methods of leveraging technology with teaching and learning. Canva, another tool that promotes use in the educational arena, has also introduced many new features that includes a suite of AI-powered tools. A simple prompt can generate a range of presentations as well as custom-designed images in a matter of minutes.

As AI technology continues to advance; it is important for educators to understand its potential impact and how to prepare students for an AI-driven world. Integrating AI into education can help students learn to use, create and evaluate the results of AI-generated resources. Assisting students in developing a responsible understanding of this technology can go hand-and-hand when teaching students other digital citizenship concepts and strategies.

Additional Resources to Explore to Learn More:

  1. ChatGPT, Chatbots and Artificial Intelligence in Education
  2. 10 Gifts We Unboxed at Canva Create
  3. Artificial Intelligence in Education
  4. Tips and Resources for Introducing Students to Artificial Intelligence
  5. The A-Z of AI

 

PROP-EL: Creating a Resource that helps both EL students and their teachers to succeed

Screenshot of PROP-EL website header

 

Created by:

  • Ryan Champney - ITRT for Spotsylvania County Public Schools
  • Tara Hefner - ESOL Secondary Lead / ESOL Coach
  • Sarah Mills - ITRT for Spotsylvania County Public Schools
  • Cara Miles - former Spotsy ITRT / current ESOL teacher for York County

 

“Do you have anything for translation?” This was a question I was asked many times in my first year as an ITRT. Little did I know that this question would send me on a journey that I never would have guessed I would become immersed in as a new ITRT.

In the past year, Spotsylvania County Public Schools has had an increase of over 500 EL (English Learners) or ML (Multiple Language) Learners. This is a trend that is only increasing as we begin to see an influx of these students in our schools.

As I started to become aware of the needs of these students, I reached out to some of my colleagues for support and information. We decided after some discussion about how best to support the teachers for EL students and the students themselves, that we would create a shared Google Drive to host a number of EL resources that could be shared throughout the county.

A screenshot of the PROP-EL Canvas course header

However, after some discussion about copyright and share settings, we decided to create what is now known as PROP-EL. Within this project, we created a hub for resources, a Canvas Course with Modules to keep track of the state required training needed by all teachers, and a website that hosts a number of resources to help all of our students.

Take a look at the presentation below and explore what PROP-EL is, what it can become, and what YOU can do to best help your EL students.

PROP-EL PRESENTATION

PROP EL Title slide with PROP-EL centered, a rocket to the right and the tagline "Propelling ELs forward using technology based skills and strategies"